Asia — An Introduction to the Sunrise Continent of Earth
Pic Courtesy — Andreea Popa
Asia is an oversimplification of a diverse region with several civilizations and cultures. With a close look at the histories of Asia, we will find that Asia, in its traditional definition, is simply an umbrella term for its portion of the Eurasian landmass, to the east of Europe. From a historical perspective, the idea that Europe and Asia were different continents came from the Ancient Greek view. The land to the east of Greece made up of a single organic whole is called Asia. While the land to the west, made up of another whole, is known as Europe. This view eventually became the modern western understanding of Europe and Asia as separate continents.
Asia is Earth’s largest and most populous continent amongst all the seven continents, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres of the globe. Asia covers 4,45,79,000 square kilometers, having about 30% of Earth’s total land area and 8.7% of earth’s total surface area. The population of Asia is 4.5 billion (approximate), out of the 7.8 billion total population of the world, as per June 2019 reports, constituting approximately 60% of the world’s population. The average population density is 100 persons per sq. km. The total number of countries is 49 as per the UN list. Asia can be divided into five parts, namely Central Asia having five countries, Eastern Asia having seven countries, Southern Asia having nine countries, South-Eastern Asia having eleven countries, and Western Asia having seventeen countries. Russia is part of two continents Asia as well as Europe.
The word Asia is used as a female name and means SUNRISE. It is separated from Africa by the Red Sea and Suez Canal. Fourteen of the tallest mountains in the world are found in Asia, and they are all 8000 meters above sea level. It is separated from North America by Berlinger Strait. Arabia peninsula is the largest peninsula in the world. The deepest trench of the world, “Mariana Trench” lies in the Pacific Ocean near the Philippines. Pamir plateau is known as the “Roof of the world”, situated in Central Asia. Three out of the four most populous countries China, India, the United States, and Indonesia are located in Asia. Out of the total world production of rice, 90% is eaten by Asian countries. Singapore, South Korea, and Japan have the highest IQ on the planet.
Today 60% of the world’s population lives in Asia, with 40% concentrated in China and India alone. Over the past more than two decades, economic growth has helped in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of poverty. Now 56% population of Asia’s total population is classified as middle class. With all these developments, some unaddressed challenges undermine its prospects. Asia is at a critical juncture in determining its future, where fast changes in economic and political policies, as well as deep dig in social values, have taken place. Asia is changing fast, and we need to know, where we need to invest our resources, apply our analytical skills, develop regional cooperation and focus on modernization and mobilization of efforts in the right direction.
Rapid urbanization is one of the common challenges, which each country in the region is facing. Overstretched infrastructure, service constrained economic growth, increased communal conflicts, and significantly reduced quality of life, especially for the poor increase the burden on urban governance. Moreover, Asia’s bulging cities are increasingly getting vulnerable to environmental disasters. 51 of the 100 cities with the greatest exposure to natural disasters are in Asia. Despite plenty of democratic activities, in much of the region, semi-democratic regimes have taken strong roots. Established elites remain in full control, governance is corrupt and over-politicized, and development outcomes are suboptimal at best. Violence against women continues to be a major challenge everywhere in Asia. In India only, 26 cases of violence against women are reported every hour.
Violent conflict has been a long-enduring challenge in Asia. Subnational and communal violence, often driven by inequalities is widespread and persistent. Sectarian conflicts in particular are continuously on the rise. The growing influence of radical Islamist groups in Asia could lead to significant expansion of unrest and violence. Climate change, combined with rapid population growth and urbanization are placing intense pressure on Asia’s most precious resources. Developments have occurred unevenly across the region, largely reflecting differential economic performances.
It is particularly relevant for all the Asian countries, which have established aspirational goals for their development journeys over the next two-three decades to work in cooperation. Each country must undertake decisive fundamental reforms and strategic shifts to be prepared, more competitive, and resilient in the future developmental landscape. Asia can be much stronger if it can position itself as an integrated market and a well-coordinated community. Each country is required to work to enhance not only its development, rather the development of the whole region.
